North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Swimming and Diving in Action at Maryland
1/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Swimming
Jan. 15, 2005
The NC State swimming and diving team returned to the pool for a two day, three team meet in College Park, Md. NC State is competing against conference foe Maryland in addition to Pittsburgh and Villanova. The men's team trails Pittsburgh but leads Maryland and Villanova after one day of action. The women's team has the lead over Villanova after day one, but trails Pittsburgh and No. 12 Maryland.
The women were aided by the performance of Lindsey Barwegen, who has been a consistent threat in the distance freestyle events. She finished with a NCAA `B' cut time in the 1,650 freestyle with a second place finish and a time of 16:35.37, a full 18 seconds ahead of the NCAA cutoff. It was her 15th top-five finish of the season, and she now has 13 top-two finishes on the year.
Diver Molly Culberson finished second in the 1-meter competition, recording a score of 247.10. The school record holder for the six-dive 1- and 3-meter diving, Culberson will compete in the3-meter competition on Saturday.
Jess Koenig finished third in the 200 IM, just missing her top time of the season with a 2:07.10 in the event. Teammate Halle Kiehlmier was strong in the 100 breaststroke once again, placing in the top-5 with a 1:05.47, the fastest time in the event for NC State this season.
The men continued their string of impressive relay performances, winning both relays off the first day of competition. The 200 freestyle team of Kevin Velleca, Steve Cowling, Kevin Devine and Cullen Jones took first place with a 1:22.24, the fourth fastest time in the ACC this season. Jones swam the final leg in an unofficial split of 19.51.
Jones wasn't done, as he helped anchor the 400 medley relay team as well, as the group of Velleca, Scott, Detloff and Jones turned in a winning time of 3:23.94 to win the event.
Jones had one more win left for the day, winning the 50 freestyle once again with a 20.16, a time that would rank second in the league behind Jones' own 20.05. Only one time per performer can be ranked in the top-10 list in the ACC. All five 50 freestyle swims that Jones has competed in have resulted in times under 21 seconds.
Cowling and Lyle Babcock took second and third respectively in the 200 IM event, with Cowling turning in a 1:53.36 and Babcock a 1:55.84. Cowling would also finish second in the 100 breast with a time of 57.92 and Babcock took second in the 200 butterfly with a time of 1:51.18.
Velleca swam his fastest time in the 100 back on the season, a mark that ranks him in the top-50 nationally. His 49.42 was good for second in the event, and second in the conference this season.
Peter Pessagno and Chris Nixon finished second and third, respectively, in the 1,650 freestyle with times of 15:54.05 and 16:00.49, respectively.
The final day of competition concludes Saturday, Jan. 15.
Men Pittsburgh 105, NC State 81 NC State 99, Maryland 84 NC State 152, Villanova 30Women Pittsburgh 121, NC State 65 No. 12 Maryland 147, NC State 39 NC State 94, Villanova 92
